The Afghan Whigs announce the release of new single “My Lover” a new song that neatly distills the emotional ambivalence of a deceitful relationship sustained by lust but doomed to fail.
Their eagerly anticipated new album, “Soft Control”, is coming August 21, 2026, via Royal Cream/BMG – pre-order and pre-save HERE. Vinyl fans will be excited to learn there will be an additional Pink Wave vinyl variation available after the previous versions sold out.
The Afghan Whigs are also set to tour the UK & Europe in September/October and North America this fall. Joining the band on the road are two of Greg Dulli’s favorite artists.
In the UK/EU: Ed Harcourt. One of Britain’s most cherished and inventive music creators Harcourt made his debut with the Mercury Prize-nominated “Here Be Monsters” (2001). He has built a career defined by raw emotion, masterful songwriting, and dynamic live performances. His latest release is last year’s “Orphic”.
“Soft Control” was recorded at Fireside Sound in Joshua Tree, Marigny Studios in New Orleans, Gold Diggers Sound in East Hollywood, and Sycamore in Cincinnati. The band recorded 22 songs for the record, discarding several favorites because they didn’t seamlessly fit the taut 37-minute track listing. Additional cameos on the album come from former Afghan Whigs drummer Patrick Keeler, vocalist/violist Petra Haden, Bo Koster (My Morning Jacket), and many others.
The album captures The Afghan Whigs’ unique ability to conflagrate stab-you-in-your-nose bone guitars and cubist refractions of soul and R&B. You expect bangers from The Afghan Whigs, and there are bangers. Yet there is a reconciliation of loud volume and somber reflections, living life with joy and purpose while keeping one eye on the clock and remaining aware of the absurdity. The Afghan Whigs’ tenth album is a sterling addition to a singular body of work –a double-sided invitation to embrace the light and welcome the darkness.
The Afghan Whigs Tour Dates
Jul 10 Fri – Brugge, Belgium – Cactus Festival
Sep 19 Sat – Leeds, UK – Stylus
Sep 20 Sun – Nottingham, UK – The Palais
Sep 22 Tue – Glasgow, UK – SWG3 Galvanizers
Sep 23 Wed – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz
Sep 24 Thu – London, UK – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Sep 26 Sat – Brighton, UK – Chalk
Sep 27 Sun – Paris, FR – Trabendo
Sep 28 Mon – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
Sep 30 Wed – Cologne, DE – Luxor
Oct 1 Thu – Liege, BE – OM
Oct 3 Sat – Eindhoven, Netherlands
Oct 4 Sun – Antwerp, BE – De Roma
Oct 5 Mon – Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique
UK/Europe Support – Ed Harcourt
“Soft Control” tracklist:
Jungle Roux
House of I
Duvateen
My Lover
The Deepest Part of the Darkest Shadow
Mariah Luster
Memphis, Texas
77
Loose Talk
A Simulation
photo credit: Orlando Perkins
